U.S. patent number 7,001,200 [Application Number 10/789,058] was granted by the patent office on 2006-02-21 for control adapter device.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Hiroto Yoshie.
United States Patent |
7,001,200 |
Yoshie |
February 21, 2006 |
Control adapter device
Abstract
A control adapter device for attaching to a control unit
including an input control portion is disclosed. The control
adapter device includes a connector for electrically connecting the
control adapter device to the control unit, a transmission unit for
transmitting, by wireless transmission, a signal input that is
input from the input control part, and an engagement mechanism for
engaging the control unit.
Inventors: |
Yoshie; Hiroto (Atsugi,
JP) |
Assignee: |
Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
(Tokyo, JP)
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Family
ID: |
32821362 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/789,058 |
Filed: |
February 27, 2004 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20040185701 A1 |
Sep 23, 2004 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Mar 19, 2003 [JP] |
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2003-076507 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
439/358 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F
3/039 (20130101); G06F 1/1632 (20130101); G06F
3/0231 (20130101); H01R 13/6273 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01R
13/627 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;439/358,357,350-356 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Pauman; Gary
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Ladas & Parry LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A control adapter device for attaching to a control unit having
an input control part, the control adapter device comprising: a
connector for electrically connecting the control adapter device to
the control unit; a transmission unit for transmitting, by wireless
transmission, a signal input that it input from the input control
part; an engagement mechanism for engaging the control unit; and a
case main body for positioning the engagement mechanism at least on
one of the left side and the right side of the connector and the
transmission unit; wherein the engagement mechanism includes a
rotatably moveable engagement member for engaging a wall of the
control unit; wherein the rotatably moveable engagement member
includes a groove portion; wherein one end of the rotatably
moveable engagement member has a press-maneuver part for receiving
a pressing force; wherein the groove portion is situated on a line
of action along which the pressing force of the press-maneuver part
is directed; wherein the case main body includes a stopper which
the groove portion contacts when the rotatably moveable engagement
member is rotated in a disengaging direction by the pressing force
of the press-maneuver part.
2. The control adapter device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
engagement mechanism further includes: a shaft rotatably supporting
the rotatably moveable engagement member; and an urging member for
biasing the rotatably moveable engagement member to an engagement
position.
3. The control adapter device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the
other end of the rotatably moveable engagement member has an
engagement claw that is received in an engagement hole forming part
of a wall of the control unit, wherein the urging member biases the
rotatably moveable engagement member in the vicinity of the
press-maneuver part.
4. The control adapter device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the
urging member is a torsion spring, wherein a coil portion of the
torsion spring is housed in the rotatably moveable engagement
member, wherein one end of the torsion spring biases the rotatably
moveable engagement member in the vicinity of the press-maneuver
part.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a control adapter
device, and more particularly to a control adapter device to be
attached to a control unit having an input control part.
2. Description of the Related Art
As for a control unit including an input control part for allowing
the user to execute an inputting maneuver (input control), there
are, for example, a keyboard of a personal computer, a controller
for a television game machine, and a control part used in
controlling computer-controlled conveying machines or industrial
robots.
These types of control units are electrically connected to an
apparatus main body with a cable formed of conducting wire.
In a case where a cable (wire) is employed for transmitting
signals, the control unit attains an advantage of being less
vulnerable to external noise. On the other hand, the control unit
has a problem of restricting the position of the user due to the
limited length of the cable connected to the control unit.
Accordingly, attachment of a wireless type control adapter to a
control unit is being considered for enabling a control unit of a
wire type to be switched to a wireless type.
In such a case, the size of the control adapter is required to be
reduced as much as possible so that the control adapter does not
protrude from the control unit to the extent of adversely affecting
maneuverability (controllability).
In obtaining a size-reduced control adapter that requires little
space, the internal capacity of the control adapter is restricted
by its outer shape (outer design). Accordingly, the installation of
a mechanism for engaging the control adapter to the control unit,
in addition to a connector and a circuit board for wireless
transmission, will result in a considerable restriction in the
space available for members such as a spring member for holding the
engagement between the adapter and the control unit or a member for
disengaging the engagement.
In disposing each component in accordance with the size-reduced
control adapter, the shape and position of each component are
modified and defined in a manner so that the component will not
interfere with each other. Therefore, depending on the position at
which the spring member is disposed, the maneuvering feel (control
feel) during the maneuver of disengaging the engaged adapter may be
adversely affected.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a general object of the present invention to provide a
control adapter device that substantially obviates one or more of
the problems caused by the limitations and disadvantages of the
related art.
Features and advantages of the present invention are set forth in
the description which follows, and in part will become apparent
from the description and the accompanying drawings, or may be
learned by practice of the invention according to the teachings
provided in the description. Objects as well as other features and
advantages of the present invention will be realized and attained
by a control adapter device particularly pointed out in the
specification in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to
enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to practice the
invention.
To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the
purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein,
the invention provides a control adapter device for attaching to a
control unit having an input control part, the control adapter
device including: a connector for electrically connecting the
control adapter device to the control unit; a transmission unit for
transmitting, by wireless transmission, a signal input that is
input from the input control part; and an engagement mechanism for
engaging the control unit.
According to an aspect of the present invention, the control
adapter device can be easily attached to the control unit by using
the engagement mechanism.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the engagement
mechanism may include: an engagement member for engaging a wall of
the control unit; a shaft rotatably supporting the engagement
member; and an urging member for biasing the engagement member to
an engagement position.
According to an aspect of the present invention, the control
adapter device including a wireless unit (transmission unit) can be
mounted to the control unit with a simple maneuver of rotating the
engagement member.
According to the control adapter device of an embodiment of the
present invention, one end of the engagement member may have a
press-maneuver part for receiving a pressing force, and the other
end of the engagement member has an engagement claw that is
received in an engagement hole forming part of a wall of the
control unit, wherein the urging member may bias the engagement
member in the vicinity of the press-maneuver part.
According to an aspect of the present invention, in releasing an
engagement by pressing the press-maneuver part, the engagement
member can be free from deformation and an enhanced maneuvering
feel can be obtained.
According to the control adapter device of an embodiment of the
present invention, the urging member may be a torsion spring,
wherein a coil portion of the torsion spring may be housed in the
engagement member, wherein one end of the torsion spring may bias
the engagement member in the vicinity of the press-maneuver
part.
According to an aspect of the present invention, the urging member
provides a satisfactory pressing feel at the press-maneuver part
and thus has a compact structure.
Other objects and further features of the present invention will be
apparent from the following detailed description when read in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a mounting operation of a
control adapter device according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
FIGS. 2A through 2D are external views showing a structure of a
control adapter device according to an embodiment of the present
invention in which FIG. 2A is a front view, FIG. 2B is a plane
view, FIG. 2C is a side view, and FIG. 2D is a rear view;
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of a
control adapter device according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an assembled state of the
control adapter device of FIG. 3 where an upper case 32 is removed
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view showing an attachment structure of
an engagement lever 44 and a torsion spring 48 of FIG. 3 according
to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state before
mounting a control adapter device 10 according to an embodiment of
the present invention; and
FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state after
mounting the control adapter device 10 according to an embodiment
of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the following, embodiments of the present invention are
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an attachment operation of a
control adapter device 10 according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
In FIG. 1, the control adapter device 10 is detachably attached to
a casing wall 14 of a control unit 12. An input control part
including, for example, plural control buttons 16 and a control
lever 18 is situated at the top surface of the control unit 12. It
is to be noted that the control unit 12 may be, for example, a
keyboard of a personal computer, a controller of a television game
machine, or a control part for controlling a computer controlled
conveying machine or an industrial robot.
The casing wall 14 includes a pair of engagement holes 20, 21,
which receive an engagement mechanism 54 (described below), and a
receiving connector 22. The control adapter device 10 is detachably
attached to the casing wall 14 of the control unit 12 via the
engagement holes 20, 22 and the receiving connector 22.
Press-maneuver parts 24, 25 for controlling engagement and
disengagement are disposed at and protrude from each side of the
control adapter device 10. A transmission part 26 for conducting
wireless transmission of signals is disposed at a case-front end
10a of the control adapter device 10.
Thus structured, when the user depresses the control button 16 or
maneuvers the control lever 18 of the control unit 12, a signal
corresponding to such movements is transmitted by wireless
transmission via the transmission part 26.
Accordingly, the user is able to switch the transmission type from
a wire type to a wireless type by attaching the control adapter
device 10 to the control unit 12.
The structure of the control adapter device 10 is next
described.
FIGS. 2A through 2D are exterior views of the structure of the
control adapter 10, in which FIG. 2A is a front view, FIG. 2B is a
plan view, FIG. 2C is a side view, and FIG. 2D is a rear view.
As shown in FIGS. 2A through 2D, the control adapter 10 includes a
case main body 36, formed from a combination of an upper case 32
and a lower case 34. Openings 36c, 36d for allowing the
press-maneuver parts 24, 25 to be inserted therethrough are formed
on a left side surface 36a and a right side surface 36b of the case
main body 36, respectively. Openings 36f, 36g, 36h for allowing
engagement claws 38, 40, and an inserting connector 30,
respectively to be inserted therethrough are formed in a rear
surface 36e of the case main body 36.
The substrate 42, to which the inserting connector 30 is attached,
is installed inside the case main body 36. Engagement mechanisms 54
(See FIG. 3) for engaging the control unit 12 with the control
adapter device 10 are disposed at the left and right sides of the
substrate 42.
The inserting connector 30 is disposed in a rearwardly protruding
manner at the center portion of the rear surface 36e.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the
control adapter device 10. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an
assembled state where the upper case 32 is removed.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the control adapter device. 10 contains
and/or supports therein: the substrate 42 having a transmission
circuit (not shown) disposed in the space created by the upper case
32 and the lower case 34; engagement levers 44, 46 disposed at left
and right sides, respectively, of the substrate 42; and torsion
springs 48, 50 biasing the engagement levers 44, 46, respectively,
in engagement directions.
The inserting connector 30 is connected, as by soldering, to a rear
portion of the lower surface of the substrate 42. Respective
electronic components forming a transmission circuit and a
transmission antenna (not shown) are disposed at a rear portion of
the upper surface of the substrate 42. The substrate 42, in a state
in which the inserting connector 30 is inserted into a quadrangular
connector installment wall portion 52, is sandwiched between the
upper case 32 and the lower case 34.
The engagement mechanisms 54 comprise the engagement levers 44, 46
and the torsion springs 48, 50, respectively. In the illustrated
exemplary embodiment, the engagement levers 44, 46 are disposed on
the left and right in a symmetrical manner. The engagement levers
44, 46 include the respective press-maneuver parts 24, 25 at one
end thereof, and respective engagement claws 38, 40 at the other
end thereof.
Groove portions 56, 58 into which coil portions 48a, 50a of the
torsion springs 48, 50 are installed, are provided at midsections
(in the longitudinal direction) of the engagement levers 44, 46,
respectively. Furthermore, rotative support portions 60, 62 are
arranged above and below the groove portions 56, 58, respectively.
The rotative support portions 60, 62 are formed with round-shaped
holes 60a, 62a for inserting therethrough shafts 64, 66,
respectively, uprightly formed at the inner surfaces of the upper
case 32, and the lower case 34. Thus structured, the engagement
levers 44, 46 rotate about the shafts 64, 66 (being engaged at the
rotative support portions 60, 62) with the shafts 64, 66 serving as
their rotating centers.
The engagement levers 44, 46 also have arcuate groove portions 76,
78 that make contact against below-described stoppers 72, 74,
respectively. The arcuate groove portions 76, 78 are disposed at
the inwardly facing side surfaces 44a, 46a situated at the rear
side (inner side) of the press-maneuver parts 24, 25 of the
engagement levers 44, 46. Furthermore, the arcuate groove portions
76, 78 are situated on a line (line of action) along which the
pressing forces of the press-maneuver parts 24, 25 are
directed.
Accordingly, the stoppers 72, 74 are subjected to the pressing
forces of the press-maneuver parts 24, 25 on the line of action.
Therefore, in a case where the engagement levers 44, 46 are rotated
in a direction for disengaging (releasing) engagement, the stoppers
72, 74 restrict the rotation of the engagement levers 44, 46 by
making contact against the arcuate groove portions 76, 78,
respectively. In such a case, the engagement levers 44, 46 are
positively restricted from rotating without being bent since the
stoppers 72, 74 are situated on the line along which the pressing
forces upon the press-maneuver parts 24, 25 are directed.
The torsion springs 48, 50 are attached to the engagement levers
44, 46 in a manner so that coil portions 48a, 50a are housed in the
groove portions 56, 58, respectively, of the engagement levers 44,
46. In addition, since the torsion springs 48, 50 are coiled around
the outer periphery of the shafts 64, 66, the torsion springs 48,
50 are attached to the engagement levers 44, 46 in a compact
(space-saving) manner.
Other than the aforementioned shafts 64, 66, the inner surfaces of
the upper and lower cases 32, 34 are provided with spring retaining
portions 68, 70, and column-shaped stoppers 72, 74, respectively,
for restricting the rotational movement of the engagement levers
44, 46.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view for explaining an attachment
structure of the engagement lever 44 and the torsion spring 48 (For
convenience, only one side of the attachment structure is
shown).
As shown in FIG. 5, one end portion 48b (50b) of the torsion spring
48 (50), extending substantially in a radially outward direction
from the coil portion 48a (50a), is inserted through an opening
part of the groove portion 56 (58), to thereby allow the torsion
spring 48 (50) to contact against the inwardly facing side surface
44a (46a) of the engagement lever 44 (46). The other end portion
48c (50c) of the torsion spring 48 (50), extending substantially in
a radially outward direction from the coil portion 48a (50a), is
retained by the spring retaining portions 68 (70) provided upright
on the inner surface of the upper case 32 and the lower case
34.
The one end portion 48b (50b) of the torsion spring 48 (50) presses
against the inwardly facing side surface 44a (46a) situated at the
rear side (inner side) of the press-maneuver parts 24 (25) of the
engagement levers 44 (46).
A pressure point P in the press-maneuver parts 24 (25) at which is
applied a pressing force when the user pushes (rotates) the
engagement lever 44 (46) in the engagement disengaging direction,
is located in the vicinity of pressure point Q, at which is applied
with a biasing force by spring contact from the one end 48b (50b)
of the torsion spring 48 (50).
Accordingly, owing to the biasing force of the spring at the
pressure point Q, the one end 48b (50b) of the torsion spring 48
(50), pressing the side surface 44a (46a) situated on the rear side
of the press-maneuver part 24 (25), resists the engagement
disengaging force of the user, and exerts a biasing force against
the press-maneuver part 24 (25).
It is to be noted that in an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the engagement lever 44 (46) is a resin mold member, and
is relatively susceptible to elastic deformation in order to make
uniform the radial thickness thereof. It may be considered that the
engagement lever 44 (46) would bend during depression of the
press-maneuver part 24 (25) since the distance from the shaft 64
(66) to the press-maneuver part 24 (25) is relatively long.
However, according to this embodiment of the present invention, the
engagement lever 44 (46) can be rotated with hardly any bending
since the press-maneuver part 24 (25) is pressed in the vicinity of
the pressure point Q by the one end portion 48b (50b) of the
torsion spring 48 (50).
Next, the operation of the engagement mechanism 54 and the mounting
operation of the control adapter device 10 are described.
FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state before
mounting the control adapter device 10.
As shown in FIG. 6, in mounting the control adapter 10 to the
control unit 12, the press-maneuver parts 24, 25 are pressed from
both left and right sides as in a squeezing manner. As a result,
the engagement levers 44, 46 rotate in the engagement disengaging
directions having the shafts 64, 66 serve as their respective
centers.
The engagement levers 44, 46, which are biased against rotation by
resisting the spring force of the torsion springs 48, 50, can be
rotated by overcoming the spring force, to a position where the
arcuate groove portions 76, 78 make contact against the stoppers
72, 74. Pressing the press-maneuver parts 24, 25 in the
aforedescribed manner, allows the engagement claws 38, 40 disposed
at the tips of the engagement levers 44, 46, to be in a position
ready for insertion into the engagement holes 20, 21, respectively,
provided in the casing wall 14 of the control unit 12. The user
aligns the engagement claws 38, 40 with the engagement holes 20,
21, which also positions the inserting connector 30 in a manner
facing the receiving connector 22.
Subsequently, the user moves the control adapter device 10 toward
the control unit 12 in direction A, thereby inserting the
engagement claws 38, 40 into the engagement holes 20, 21,
respectively, and the inserting connector 30 into the receiving
connector 22.
FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state after
mounting the control adapter device 10 to the control unit 12. As
shown in FIG. 7, when the rear surface 36e of the control adapter
device 10 contacts the casing wall 14 of the control unit 12, the
user can withdraw the force against the press-maneuver parts 24,
25. As a result, the biasing forces of the torsion springs 48, 50
urge the engagement levers 44, 46 to return to engaged
positions.
Thus structured, the engagement claws 38, 40, disposed on the tips
of the engagement levers 44, 46 contact in a lateral direction and
engage groove portions 20a, 21a of the casing wall 14 that form
part of the engagement holes 20, 21, respectively. Accordingly, by
executing the foregoing engagement procedure, the control adapter
10 is attached to the casing wall 14 of the control unit 12 where
the inserting connector 30 is engaged to the receiving connector
22.
Accordingly, the user presses the press-maneuver parts 24, 25, and
then, while having the engagement mechanisms 54 in the engagement
disengaged (released) state, the user inserts the engagement claws
38, 40 into the engagement holes 20, 21, while inserting the
inserting connector 30 into the receiving connector 22. Then, by
releasing the pressing force on the press-maneuver parts 24, 25,
the mounting operation of the control adapter device 10 is
completed.
In detaching the mounted control adapter device 10 from the control
unit 12, the press-maneuver parts 24, 25 are pressed for separating
the engagement claws 38, 40 from the groove portions 20a, 21a, and
then, having the engagement levers 44, 46 in a disengaged state,
the control adapter 10 is withdrawn from the control unit 12.
Accordingly, the user presses the press-maneuver parts 24, 25 to
achieve the engagement mechanisms 54 in an engagement disengaged
state, and withdraws the control adapter device 10 from the control
unit 12, to thereby separate the engagement claws 38, 40 from the
engagement holes 20, 21 and the inserting connector 30 from the
receiving connector 22. As a result, the separation procedure of
the control adapter device 10 from the control unit 12 is
completed.
Although the foregoing embodiment has a pair of engagement
mechanisms 54 disposed one on each the left and right sides of the
control adapter device 10, the control adapter device of the
present invention is not limited only to such an embodiment. For
example, the engagement mechanism 54 may be disposed on only one of
the sides of the control adapter device 10.
Furthermore, although the foregoing embodiment has the inserting
connector 30 disposed on the rear surface of the control adapter
device 10 the control adapter device of the present invention is
not limited only to such an embodiment. For example, the receiving
connector 22 may be disposed on the rear surface of the control
adapter device 10.
Furthermore, although the foregoing embodiment has a transmission
circuit provided on the substrate 42, the control adapter device of
the present invention is not to be limited only to such an
embodiment. For example, a transmission circuit and a reception
circuit may be provided on the substrate 42.
Further, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments,
but various variations and modifications may be made without
departing from the scope of the present invention.
The present application is based on Japanese Priority Application
No.2003-76507 filed on Mar. 19, 2003, with the Japanese Patent
Office, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by
reference.
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